sigh...Messed up on the GMAT

[lilFajita]

So I took the GMAT today and completely screwed up. Did great on verbal (91% percentile...that works for me) but Math was not even close to practice scores. I HATE having to take it again, but I guess I will. I'm so frustrated! I hate these tests that everything seems to depend on

So the reason for the post: Has anyone retaken a graduate entrance exam? I wonder if they just look at the best score... Stupid me sent my scores to all these schools I am interested in :disgust: I hope that they ignore them since I am not applying for another year....

I'm just really worried about this whole thing.

saddness

 

[ElFenix]

 

[RagingBITCH]

A lot of people take the GMAT multiple times, don't sweat it too much.

 

[Hammer]

 

[lilFajita]

aw! my Texas boys are always here for me

I HATE studying for that damnned test. its so dumb.

 

[RagingBITCH]

hey lil - was the math mostly calculus based, or what kind was it? I haven't taken my GMAT yet, I'm kind of scared really, I plan on taking it in the spring however.

 

[lilFajita]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
hey lil - was the math mostly calculus based, or what kind was it? I haven't taken my GMAT yet, I'm kind of scared really, I plan on taking it in the spring however.

actually, not at all. Its really just high school math: geometry, algebra, etc. The only thing that is different is the data sufficiency (where you have to decide what pieces of data you need to answer the question). I suppose the math is not hard...its just that there are alot of tricks you need to grasp in order to get through them quickly.

I just panicked.

anyway, let me know if you need more info, we can chat.

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: lilFajita

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
hey lil - was the math mostly calculus based, or what kind was it? I haven't taken my GMAT yet, I'm kind of scared really, I plan on taking it in the spring however.

actually, not at all. Its really just high school math: geometry, algebra, etc. The only thing that is different is the data sufficiency (where you have to decide what pieces of data you need to answer the question). I suppose the math is not hard...its just that there are alot of tricks you need to grasp in order to get through them quickly.

I just panicked.

anyway, let me know if you need more info, we can chat.

I'm planning on taking it soon too! Just got a test prep book...

 

[z0mb13]

whats ur combined math and verbal score??

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: lilFajita

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
hey lil - was the math mostly calculus based, or what kind was it? I haven't taken my GMAT yet, I'm kind of scared really, I plan on taking it in the spring however.

actually, not at all. Its really just high school math: geometry, algebra, etc. The only thing that is different is the data sufficiency (where you have to decide what pieces of data you need to answer the question). I suppose the math is not hard...its just that there are alot of tricks you need to grasp in order to get through them quickly.

I just panicked.

anyway, let me know if you need more info, we can chat.

Sorry to hear that. But a few people I know took it multiple times, its just a pain like you said to have to retake it. Is the verbal pretty easy, like TAAS style testing? Or more SAT style testing?

 

[lilFajita]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Sorry to hear that. But a few people I know took it multiple times, its just a pain like you said to have to retake it. Is the verbal pretty easy, like TAAS style testing? Or more SAT style testing?

Acutally, Verbal is a little tougher. No real vocab, but it is grammar and critical reasoning which are a little tough. Reading comprehension is the other section and its not so bad. Of those, grammar was my tough section

 

[johnjbruin]

What was your score? Even close to 700?
Anyway... It depends on the school. Some look at the highest, some look at all of them.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: lilFajita

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Sorry to hear that. But a few people I know took it multiple times, its just a pain like you said to have to retake it. Is the verbal pretty easy, like TAAS style testing? Or more SAT style testing?

Acutally, Verbal is a little tougher. No real vocab, but it is grammar and critical reasoning which are a little tough. Reading comprehension is the other section and its not so bad. Of those, grammar was my tough section

Ahh ok. What schools are you trying to get into if you don't mind me asking? And did you do any studying beforehand?

 

[TubStain]

Here I was thinking I should shut off the computer and study gmat when I see this thread...

I'm taking the GMAT in december and currently prepping for it. There are tons of tricks in the math section that you should know how to handle and prepare for. They WILL save you time. There are also little things that you should memorize.. thinks like 2 is the lowest and only even prime number. Many more as well that I'm learning.

I have the Kaplan Home study book and the lesson guide that a friend gave me and I'm learning all these tricks that really make the math section easy....well not easy, but you know what to do for any question because they tell you what you should be thinking...

Like did you know that if a question asks "which of the following" you should start with choice number 5 then 4..3.2.1? The answer is more likely to be either 4 or 5.

In variable/story questions, look over the answers and you can get clues about the numbers you should be picking to solve the problem. Numbers that would make it easier to solve. In percent questions always select 100 .

Dont be disheartened about having to take it again. This time get a kaplan or princeton review book and just keep solving problems in the math. Identify your weakness and practice practice practice till ur perfect. When solving GMAT problems becomes natural and you can do it without thinking...then register and take it. Your confidence will be high and sometimes thats all you really need when the clock is ticking.

I hope you know there are tons of websites and forums where people post problems and get solutions etc.

Good luck in your apps... I'm applying for Fall 2004 with only 2 years work exp, so I'm aiming for 700+ GMAT to balance that out.

 

[MaxDepth]

I'm taking the GMAT in December as well. Aiming for the Fuqua School at Duke. (20 years of work experience, of which, 5 years mgmt)
Please, Lord, don't let me crap my test or my pants.


EDIT: http://www.mba.com - good resource

 

[TommyVercetti]

I took the GMAT about a month ago. 530! So so sad

 

[lilFajita]

score askers: I am kinda embarrasseed, but why not...around 630. I'd be fullfilled with a 700.

raging: I did study alot acutally. I took a prep course (I would never focus on my own)

tubstain: thanks for the advice. I'm gonna have to kick it on math for a while. I have the huge official test questions book, so I'm gonna do them all. Its a stamina thing too. BTW, you can't go with that picking strat- the CAT has randomized choices- can you send me those forums tho? sound interesting....

I'll have to keep studying I guess. I thought the fun of the real world was that you didn't have to study anymore

 

[RabidMongoose]

How many years of work experience do you guys have?

 

[TubStain]

Originally posted by: lilFajita
score askers: I am kinda embarrasseed, but why not...around 630. I'd be fullfilled with a 700.

raging: I did study alot acutally. I took a prep course (I would never focus on my own)

tubstain: thanks for the advice. I'm gonna have to kick it on math for a while. I have the huge official test questions book, so I'm gonna do them all. Its a stamina thing too. BTW, you can't go with that picking strat- the CAT has randomized choices- can you send me those forums tho? sound interesting....

I'll have to keep studying I guess. I thought the fun of the real world was that you didn't have to study anymore

To benefit all, here are the forums as well as various gmat related websites where you can find tests and questions:

http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=31

http://cyberprep.com/bschool/drills/drills.htm

http://www.crack-gmat.com/

http://www.800score.com/

http://www.sentencecorrection.com/

http://www.west.net/~stewart/gmat/

http://www.kaptest.com/

http://www.investigatio.com/mba/index.html cant say how accurate, but you can see the quality of applicants and where they got admitted.

http://www.manhattangmat.com/index.cfm?cid=11&sethome=1

http://www.testmagic.com/forum/default.asp A VERY good forum for all aptitude tests.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmattutor/ Yahoo group

That my arsenal of websites, I hope you guys taking the tests benefit from it and get into your dream schools. There is also the 2 PowerPrep tests you can download or get from ETS.

LilFajita, you mean to tell me you did NOT finish the official guide before taking the exam? That was a bad idea, since the OG is the best resource for true GMAT questions and to not take advantage of that before the test is simply a bad move.

Here's the preparation strategy that I am employing for the test.

1) Finish the Kaplan Home Study book and Lesson book which breaks down each part of the GMAT and has different levels of difficulty for each part to practice on.

2) Take the First PowerPrep test and guage how well I do, weak points, strong points etc.

3) Based on that work on my weak points in any way possible. Finish the Arco GMAT prep book

4) Take the Second test of PowerPrep and guage how well I do.

5) Finish the entire Official Guide, focusing especially on any weaknesses.

The reason I work on the OG the last is because the questions there are in the powerPrep test, so you dont want to hamper the accuracy of the test by knowing and solving the questions in advance.

After all that if I dont get 700+ I'll kick myself....scratch my head and take it again in 15-20 days

I'm looking to do a career crossover from IT/software to Finance, specifically corporate finiance and/or Investment Banking. Sadly I dont have work experience in Finance, other than being a day trader and learning how the stock market works.

Edit: So far I am feeling very good about the Math I can solve most problems and get around most tricks, but I need to work on time and not making silly errors like reading the questions incorrectly. I havent started the english yet, and I fear thats going to be my weak point.

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
How many years of work experience do you guys have?

I'd have 3yrs, none in management

 

[GTaudiophile]

Thanks for the links. I'm studying for it myself even though grad school is not really what I want to do next.